What Exactly Is A Paint Sheen?

When beginning your painting project, you'll want to consider the sheen of the paint - or the gloss level. The higher the gloss level, the shinier the appearance and the more scrubbable the finish. Accordingly, different types of sheens can be ideal for different areas of your home. Here are some general recommendations to help you navigate your sheen options by project.
What Exactly Is A Paint Sheen?
Flat or Matte sheens are ideal for low-traffic areas such as formal dining rooms and master bedrooms. They provide a beautiful finish, with little to no shine, and are ideal to hides minor surface imperfections. Flats/Mattes can be used in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms where fingerprints, scuff marks and stains are less likely to be an issue.

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Flat or Matte

Glidden Flat Paint in bedroom

Flat or Matte

Flat or Matte sheens are ideal for low-traffic areas such as formal dining rooms and master bedrooms. They provide a beautiful finish, with little to no shine, and are ideal to hides minor surface imperfections. Flats/Mattes can be used in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms where fingerprints, scuff marks and stains are less likely to be an issue.

See What Supplies You'll Need
Eggshell paints are more washable and scrubbable than a flat or matte option. They have a slightly lower sheen than satin, but offer a similar level of durability. Eggshell paints are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and family rooms with more traffic and fingerprints since they can be wiped clean more easily.

What Paint You Can Use in High Moisture Areas
 

Eggshell

Eggshell paints are more washable and scrubbable than a flat or matte option. They have a slightly lower sheen than satin, but offer a similar level of durability. Eggshell paints are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and family rooms with more traffic and fingerprints since they can be wiped clean more easily.

What Paint You Can Use in High Moisture Areas
 
Satin paints go a step further than eggshell in washability and scrubbability, providing a nice balance: a practical choice for easy clean up, but not too much shine. They perform and look great in just about any room.

How to Paint Baseboards and Trim

Satin

Satin paints go a step further than eggshell in washability and scrubbability, providing a nice balance: a practical choice for easy clean up, but not too much shine. They perform and look great in just about any room.

How to Paint Baseboards and Trim
Semi-gloss paints offer maximum durability. They are commonly used in children's rooms and high-moisture like bathrooms, as well as for trim and doors. Great for active families with kids and pet; but take note - the higher sheen does highlight wall imperfections more so than a lower sheen will.

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Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paints offer maximum durability. They are commonly used in children's rooms and high-moisture like bathrooms, as well as for trim and doors. Great for active families with kids and pet; but take note - the higher sheen does highlight wall imperfections more so than a lower sheen will.

See All Glidden Paint Colors
High-gloss paints are highly reflective and work well for highlighting details, such as trim and decorative molding. They are also the best choice for doors and cabinets - or any area that sees a high volume of abuse. A beautiful high impact finish, at its best when used on a well prepped surfaces.

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High-Gloss

High-gloss paints are highly reflective and work well for highlighting details, such as trim and decorative molding. They are also the best choice for doors and cabinets - or any area that sees a high volume of abuse. A beautiful high impact finish, at its best when used on a well prepped surfaces.

More Helpful How-To Articles
Ceiling flats are designed specifically for ceilings. These are extra spatter-resistant, have no sheen and are the best finish to hide surface imperfections. Now that you know what sheen to use, it's time to choose your Product.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

Ceiling Flat

Ceiling flats are designed specifically for ceilings. These are extra spatter-resistant, have no sheen and are the best finish to hide surface imperfections. Now that you know what sheen to use, it's time to choose your Product.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.